Breather to air cleaner

The PCV system definitely needs a filtered breather, but that hose doesn’t provide filtered air, the filter within the breather itself filters the air. That hose is connected outside of the carburetor air filter.

As far as I can see running a hose from the breather to the air filter directs excess blow-by directly to the air cleaner instead of to the engine compartment.

Without that hose you’ll have some oil on your valve cover, not a big deal.